Pvt. James Smith (CP 1204), National Museum of Health and Medicine

Description: Private James Smith, Company K, 19th Maine volunteers, who received a gunshot wound to the right thigh at the battle of Hatcher’s Run, Virginia on September 20th, 1864. The wound became ulcerous but was treated and the patient recovered, but the healing resulted in a shortening of his left leg. Caption reads: “Phagedenic condition of G.S.Wnd. of Thigh. Pvt. James Smith Co. K. 19th Me.”

History is on reverse: “Lincoln General Hospital. Washington, D.C., June 2, 1865. Ward 2, Bed 59—Name, James Smith, Private Co. K., 19th Maine Volunteers—aged 22. Admitted to this Hospital Nov. 14, 1864, with a gun-shot wound middle third of right thigh, received at Hatcher’s Run, Va., Sept. 20, 1864. Ball entering at anterior aspect of thigh, passing almost directly backwards, external to femur, and passing posteriorly. This patient has had three successive attacks of phagedena of his wound. The ulcer extending seven (7) inches from above downwards six and a half (6 ½) from side to side, and from one and a half (1 ½) to two inches in depth, situated on the anterior and external aspects of the thigh. May 16, 1865, Present condition very favorable. General health good. Healthy granulations filling up the ulcer on a level with the surrounding tissues. Photographed at Lincoln General Hospital. J.C. McKee, Surgeon, U.S.A., in charge.”

Date: circa 1865

Photo ID: CP 1204

Source Collection: OHA 75: Contributed Photographs

Repository: National Museum of Health and Medicine, Otis Historical Archives